contractarianism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Academic
Quick answer
What does “contractarianism” mean?
A political or moral theory that posits the legitimacy of political authority and moral rules derives from an agreement among individuals.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A political or moral theory that posits the legitimacy of political authority and moral rules derives from an agreement among individuals.
A philosophical framework, particularly influential in political philosophy and ethics, that grounds social institutions, justice, and obligations in a hypothetical or actual social contract entered into by rational, free individuals for mutual benefit.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or pronunciation differences. The term is used identically in philosophical discourse in both regions.
Connotations
In academic contexts, carries the same neutral, theoretical connotation. In general political discourse outside academia, it may be used pejoratively by critics to imply a fictional or overly rationalistic basis for society.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language, confined almost exclusively to academic philosophy, political theory, and legal theory texts. Frequency is comparable between UK and US academic writing.
Grammar
How to Use “contractarianism” in a Sentence
[Adjective] + contractarianism (e.g., Hobbesian contractarianism)contractarianism + [Preposition] + [Noun] (e.g., contractarianism in political philosophy)debate over/regarding contractarianismVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “contractarianism” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [No direct verb form. One might 'adopt a contractarian position' or 'argue contractarianly' (highly stilted).]
American English
- [No direct verb form. One might 'defend a contractarian approach' or 'reason in a contractarian manner'.]
adverb
British English
- [Extremely rare. 'Contractarianly' is theoretically possible but unnatural.]
American English
- [Extremely rare. 'He argued contractarianly' would be awkward; rephrasing is preferred.]
adjective
British English
- The contractarian framework offers a secular justification for state authority.
- Her critique targeted the contractarian assumption of pre-social individuals.
American English
- Rawls's work is a cornerstone of modern contractarian thought.
- A contractarian argument bases obligation on rational agreement.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Primary context. Used in philosophy, political science, law, and ethics journals and textbooks to classify a major strand of Western political thought.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would likely be misunderstood or require explanation.
Technical
Used precisely in philosophical discourse to denote a justificatory strategy grounded in agreement.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “contractarianism”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “contractarianism”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “contractarianism”
- Confusing it with 'contractualism' (a related but distinct term in moral philosophy).
- Using it to refer to any theory involving contracts (e.g., business law).
- Misspelling as 'contractarianis*m*' (correct) vs. 'contractarianis*n*'.
- Assuming it describes a real historical event rather than a hypothetical or justificatory model.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It holds that moral and political principles are justified because they would be agreed to by free and rational individuals under fair conditions, often a hypothetical 'social contract'.
Contractarianism is the broader philosophical theory or family of theories that uses the idea of a social contract as its core justificatory device. The 'social contract' is the central concept within contractarianism.
Contractarianism justifies principles based on agreement among individuals, focusing on procedure and mutual respect. Utilitarianism justifies principles based on maximizing overall happiness or welfare, focusing on outcomes.
Yes, primarily in academic philosophy, political theory, and debates about justice, fairness, and the foundations of liberal democracy. John Rawls' 'justice as fairness' is a highly influential modern contractarian theory.
A political or moral theory that posits the legitimacy of political authority and moral rules derives from an agreement among individuals.
Contractarianism is usually formal, academic in register.
Contractarianism: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkɒn.trækˈtɛː.ri.ə.nɪ.zəm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkɑːn.trækˈter.i.ə.nɪ.zəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this highly technical term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CONTRACT signed by an ARIAN (a person) – it's the theory that society is based on a contract agreed to by individuals.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIETY IS A CONTRACT / MORALITY IS A BUSINESS DEAL.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following thinkers is MOST closely associated with the development of contractarianism?